THE ART OF WONDER

A major exhibition in Rome celebrates the incredible visual illusions by celebrated artist Arcimboldo

 

 
It is practically impossible not to be amazed by Arcimboldo’s works. Known all over the world for his portraits created using fruits, vegetables and flowers, the ingenious mastery of the sixteenth-century Italian artist is brilliantly highlighted in the ‘Arcimboldo’ exhibition at the Palazzo Barberini in Rome. An itinerary of more than a hundred works and objects allows to follow the technical and aesthetic evolution of the master of visual illusion by positioning it in the historical and artistic context of the sixteenth century not only in Milan but also in Vienna and Prague, where the artist lived as a guest of the Habsburg imperial court, first under Ferdinand I and then
Maximilian II and Rodolfo II. The jewel in the crown of the exhibition is represented by twenty masterpieces including paintings and drawings, borrowed from around the world. From the famous Seasons and Elements series to the equally famous L’Ortolano, also known as Priapo, and Il Cuoco as well as some portraits, the Tapestry of Como, the
Stained Glass of the Milan Cathedral and precious watercolored designs created for glittering court parties. The exhibition also outlines the cultural landscape of the time thanks to objects from the imperial Wunderkammern, but also from the artisan shops of the period, and drawings with zoological and botanical subjects, emphasising also the importance of Arcimboldo’s work through a series of paintings and drawings inspired by the master.
Organised in collaboration with Mondo Mostre Skira and curated by Sylvia Ferino-Pagden, the exhibition is at Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica in the Palazzo Barberini in Rome until 11th February 2018.

www.barberinicorsini.org